Celebrating a life lived well with dogs.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year which means that the annual Pawsh Holiday Photobooth for Sit With Me Rescue (hosted by our friends at Pet Valu Cobourg) came around again! This year we had an AMAZING turn out and were able to raise over $600 for this most deserving and fantastic rescue. Here are just a few of the moments that we captured — I wanted to cuddle them all all day long! {Photography by LLB Creative}
There is a new dog leash in town and it is making quite an impression in the dog community. The RuffGrip® leash is here and is far beyond ‘just another leash.’ It is practically and thoughtfully designed, comfortable to use and symbolizes the strong bond between dog and owner – literally! Here is what we love about this new product.
REASON #1: RuffGrip® is super duper durable
Constructed from non-slip, lightweight grip, rubberized woven nylon this leash is all kinds of durable! Not only does it deter chewing (for those dogs who insist on using their leash as a substitute tug-of-war toy), but it also handles all sorts of weather conditions, which, as all of you fellow Canadians will appreciate, is a major plus!
According to the RuffGrip® website, “South African security teams in Iraq use the leash in 135o temperature and fine sand. Alaskan rescue teams use it in the coldest weather.”
REASON #2: RuffGrip® has excellent grip
Little leather ‘stops’ are strategically placed at six-inch intervals along the length of the leash, offering pet parents an easier and steadier grip. When walking Rory on previous leashes I always physically tied knots throughout it; should the leash slide through my grip one of the knots could stop it breaking free from my hand completely. The RuffGrip® leash, however, adds this little feature in automatically which makes a big difference.
REASON #3: RuffGrip® is great for kids
This product has earned all sorts of recognition for helping children to handle pets on a leash (with proper parental supervision, of course). The brand earned 4.7 stars from the Parent Tested Parent Approved Awards and is noted to help children better assume a role of responsibility in caring for their canine family members.
This new leash checks all the must-have boxes on our list and is now one of our go-to leashes for long walks through our lovely city!
The the promise of Valentine’s Day on the horizon some say that love is now officially in the air. Of course, as devoted dog parents, we all know that love is in the air constantly when you have a wet nose in your house who is always on the ready to sniff it out!
To celebrate our beloved pupsters Pawsh has rounded up 10 of our favourite minimalist dog typography prints for your home decor this season. They seriously go with every style of home decor (and might make a cute Valentine’s Day gift too for the dog lover in your life!)
DOG PRINT #1: “ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE (AND A DOG)” by SimpleSerene on Etsy.
Because it’s true! Ask anyone who loves their dog and they will tell you that you need very little else in life to be perfectly content. Evenings spent at home are suddenly cozier, walks through your neighbourhood are more lively and day to day activities are all the brighter when you have a dog by your side. This sweet little print is a lovely reminder of that!
DOG PRINT #2: “DOG LOVER” by Pawsh Magazine
Because if we HAD to choose one label for ourselves, this would be it! This sleek contemporary print (created by yours truly) is like a badge to display proudly in your home or at the office! Can we get a whoop, whoop?
DOG PRINT #3: “MUST LOVE DOGS” by TinaBlueShoes on Etsy
Because… you must! Especially if you want to date or do the whole relationship thing. Diane Lane had it right all along!
DOG PRINT #4: “LET’S STICK TOGETHER” by Sophie Corrigan
Because the sentiment is oh-so true and this print would be so stinking cute to gift to a best friend, sibling or significant other!
DOG PRINT #5: “BREED CALLIGRAPHY PORTRAITS” by BellePapiers on Etsy
How beautiful is this unique calligraphy print? The scripted words highlight your favourite breed’s best qualities in a gorgeous style that then brings the dog’s profile to life! Absolutely gorgeous!
DOG PRINT #6: “TEA AND SLIPPERS AND THE DOG” by Pawsh Magazine
You know when Julie Andrews sings about her favourite things in The Sound of Music? Well this print is like that for us and highlights three of our all time favourite things! I mean how can you not love this perfect trio? Ideal for hanging in the bedroom or reading nook
DOG PRINT #7: “MY DOG IS COOLER THAN YOUR DOG” by LuciusArt on Etsy
Because it’s funny and a little friendly competition never hurt anyone. (Of course, we love ALL dogs.)
DOG PRINT #8: “I LOVE YOU A LOT BUT…” by Faye Moorhouse Illustration
Because it’s true (even if some of us won’t say it out loud!)
DOG PRINT #9: “BE THE PERSON YOUR DOG…” by TheInspiringType on Etsy
Because we should all strive for this and this cute print would serve as a friendly reminder hanging by the front door.
DOG PRINT #10: (OPENING IMAGE) “YOU, ME & THE DOG” by PeachesPrintsEtc on Etsy
Because a dog is truly part of the family and this sophisticated print is too pretty not to want!
Which minimalist dog inspired prints are your favourites? And where would you hang them in your home? We’d love to hear! xo
One of the most stressful pet parenting situations is being called away from home unexpectedly and needing to find a last minute dog-sitter. Perhaps the weather is really bad (hello winter) and you are stranded at the office. Or maybe there is a health emergency and you have to rush to the hospital.
Whatever the reason, today we’re going to share how to prepare a standing dog-friendly overnight bag so that when your neighbour, auntie or friend has to step in at a moment’s notice they will have everything they could possibly need for your beloved fur-monster with no fuss!
DOG-FRIENDLY OVERNIGHT BAG ITEM #1: A LARGE DOG TOTE BAG
Choose a bag that will comfortably house all of the overnight care goodies that we plan to pack on this list. We personally love something that is a heavy duty cotton and machine washable to help keep this overnight bag looking pristine at all times! And if it has a dog-friendly inscription on it like “Dog is my true soulmate” even better! (Tote bag available here!)
DOG-FRIENDLY OVERNIGHT BAG ITEM #2: A DOG-FRIENDLY TRAVEL BED
If your dog is going to stay overnight at someone else’s house, they are going to need their own bed. Pack a nifty travel dog bed, something that folds up nice and small but stretches out into a deluxe slumber space. We love this Travel Mat from Canadian pet product designer Handsome Mountain. It is water-resistant, rolls up like a yoga mat (with built in tie strings, amazing!) and is very plush so as to provide comfort for your little one on any floor, couch or carseat!
DOG-FRIENDLY OVERNIGHT BAG ITEM #3: DOG FOOD
An air-tight container of dog food is also a must, because after all puppy has to eat.
DOG-FRIENDLY OVERNIGHT BAG ITEM #4: AN EXTRA LEASH
Have a back up leash included in this bag too. Why? Because this way when your dog-sitter arrives in case of emergency they don’t have to spend any time searching for your dog’s everyday leash, which, let’s face it, is usually dropped in a different place after every walk (at least, it is on our house!)
DOG-FRIENDLY OVERNIGHT BAG ITEM #5: A CHEW TOY
What do you like to pack when you stay away from home? Toys of some sort probably, yes? Well, your dog will also appreciate this! Consider including a multipurpose chew toy to help keep your pup occupied in their new surroundings. We personally love to pack the Bionic Urban Stick that is ultra durable, floats, doubles as a tug-of-war toy and can be stuffed with treats!
DOG-FRIENDLY OVERNIGHT BAG ITEM #6: TRAVEL DOG BOWL
A travel bowl is also a good idea so that your dog doesn’t have to commandeer one of your dog-sitter’s everyday dishes. We love the Pocket Bowl from RadDog on Etsy, because it folds up small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, thus leaving lots of room in your dog overnight bag for other essentials. Plus your dog-sitter can throw it in their purse or pocket for any long walks or outings!
DOG-FRIENDLY OVERNIGHT BAG ITEM #7: DOG TOWEL
Include a dog-friendly towel as well. Not only will this double as a second sleeping space for your pupster, but it will also help to protect your dog-sitters’ couch from pesky dog hairs. Not everyone allows their pets on the furniture, so including a fresh towel to cover upholstery with will help your furry couch potato to be a polite guest. Plus it will be needed for mucky paws or any unexpected baths.
DOG-FRIENDLY OVERNIGHT BAG ITEM #8: ORGANIC DOG TREATS
Treats are also a must! Pop an unopened bag of dog treats into the overnight bag so that your dog-sitter can spoil your pup. As we all know treats can often help reinforce positive behaviours in a pup too which can help make a sleepover easier too. One of our favourite dog treat companies is Amelia Biscuit Company, located in Paris, Ontario. Their Peanut Butter Treaty Bites are wheat-free, organic and oven baked. Dogs go bananas for these yummy morsels and the air-tight resealable bag makes packing them for sleepovers easy-peasy!
DOG-FRIENDLY OVERNIGHT BAG ITEM #9: A DOG TEDDY BEAR!
And, of course, no sleepover would be complete without a Kong Knots Wild Bear Toy, because everyone needs a teddy bear to sleep well when away from home!
DOG-FRIENDLY OVERNIGHT BAG ITEM #10: A DOG SWEATER
Pack your dog a sweater in their overnight bag too. It’s not just to look cute — it will keep them dry on rainy walks and warm on chilly nights.
DOG-FRIENDLY OVERNIGHT BAG ITEM #11: A LIST
And finally include a little list that contains all of your dog’s emergency numbers and information. For example, your vet’s number in case of emergency, the nearest 24hr vet clinic, any medication instructions, any behaviourial issues, a list of your dog’s words like ‘sit,’ ‘stay,’ ‘up,’ ‘down’ etc., because every dog has a different vocabulary.
FINAL TIP
Once your dog overnight bag is all neatly packed and organized there is only one last thing left to do – store it in a place that is easily accessible at a moment’s notice. We recommend a closet by the front door so that when a last minute dog-sitter needs to grab it they can do so with ease!
We’ve covered all of the essentials, but would love to know what you would pack for your dog’s overnight bag! Let us know in the comments!